Garment pattern repository and cutter system and methods

ABSTRACT

A method for storing and accessing a garment pattern including uploading digital representations of one or more garment patterns to a network accessible file repository and accessing the file repository via a network connection associated with a personal computing device. The digital representation of the garment pattern is communicated from the personal computing device to a cutter. The cutter accesses the garment pattern to cut a portion of material according to the garment pattern. The cutter is configured to cut paper and the method further comprises cutting the paper to form a garment pattern. The garment pattern may be attached to fabric that is then cut along a perimeter of the garment pattern. The cutter may also be configured to cut fabric wherein the fabric is cut to form portions of a garment corresponding with the one or more garment patterns.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/486,076, filed May 13, 2011, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present system and methods relate to a system and method for cuttingfabric according to a digitized pattern. More specifically, the presentsystem and methods detail an electronic pattern repository system and anassociated cutter that can access and implement the electronic pattern.

BACKGROUND

Patterns used to make clothing have historically come in a paper form.These patterns are printed using large printing presses and datedprinting methodology. Once the pattern was acquired, the seamstress tookthe paper pattern and attached it to the fabric and used a pair ofscissors to cut the fabric around a perimeter of the pattern.

Historically, pattern creators produced seasonal catalogues thatcontained information about new pre-printed patterns. These catalogs,along with a selected inventory of pre-printed patterns were availablein fabric stores. Fabric stores retained several seasons of catalogues.When a seamstress wanted to create an item of clothing they would go tothe pattern store and select the desired pattern from the catalog. Ifthe store had the pre-printed pattern, the seamstress could purchase itor, if they didn't have the pattern, they would order it.

With the advent of personal printing technologies, a significant numberof pattern creators have converted patterns to a digital format that canbe downloaded from a web site and printed on a home printer. The printedpattern is then assembled into a format similar to the pre-printedformat. The digital format most commonly used is .pdf.

With digital, or electronic, patterns, the process of finding a patternhas changed. Now, rather than going to a fabric store to find a pattern,the seamstress has the option of going to the pattern creator's website.On the website, the seamstress can see online versions of the patterncatalogs. Once they find a pattern that they like, they can go through aprocess of downloading a digital representation of the pattern. They canthen print the pattern on their local printer and assemble it into aformat similar to the pre-printed format.

The traditional pre-printed patterns generally come in various sizes.Within a size there are two or three sub sizes that a seamstress can useto customize the pattern for their needs. The new digital patternscontinue to use the same two size format, requiring the seamstress toadjust the size of the pattern manually.

Each pattern creator, along with fabric and embellishment vendor, hashad their own supply channels. Even as pattern creators have moved to adigital system, they each have retained their own channel. This resultsin the seamstress being forced go to multiple websites and physicallocations to find, coordinate and purchase patterns and materials for asingle garment. With the introduction of downloadable patterns, theoptions, processes and technologies have increased the complexity offinding a desired pattern, not simplified it.

Although progress has been made in making patterns more readilyavailable via the internet, there is still a need to simplify theprocess of locating patterns, sizing the patterns, identifying suitablematerials, and cutting the material to match the correctly sizedpattern.

SUMMARY

In one of many possible embodiments, the present exemplary system andmethod includes a clothes making process that is based on a digitalrepository of patterns that are interactively modifiable. The patternsare downloadable and can be printed or transferred to an electroniccutter.

Provided herein is a method for storing and accessing a garment pattern.In an embodiment, the method includes uploading digital representationsof one or more garment patterns to a network accessible file repositoryand accessing the file repository via a network connection associatedwith a personal computing device to download the digital representationof the one or more garment patterns. The digital representation of theone or more garment patterns is communicated from the personal computingdevice to a cutter. The cutter accesses the one or more garment patternsto cut a portion of material according to the specifications of the oneor more garment patterns. In one aspect of the technology describedherein, the cutter is configured to cut paper and the method furthercomprises cutting the paper to form a garment pattern. The garmentpattern may then be attached to fabric that is then cut along aperimeter of the garment pattern.

In another aspect of the present technology the cutter is configured tocut fabric and the method further comprises cutting the fabric todirectly form portions of a garment corresponding with the one or moregarment patterns. The garment may be assembled by joining the portionstogether.

In yet another aspect of the technology, the method may further compriseentering parameters to describe the size of a garment, wherein theparameters are selected from the group consisting of size, waistmeasurement, inseam measurement, height, weight, and chestcircumference, for example. The garment patterns are adjusted or scaledbased on the parameters.

Also provided herein is a garment pattern repository and cutter system.In an embodiment, the system includes a garment pattern file repositorystored on a network server. A web interface is associated with thegarment pattern file repository and a personal computing device isinterconnected with the server to facilitate interaction with thegarment pattern file repository via the web interface. The web interfacemay also be stored on the network server. A cutter is interconnectedwith the personal computing device, wherein the cutter is operative tocut a portion of material according to a garment pattern selected fromthe garment pattern repository. The personal computing device may beinterconnected with the server via the internet and may be one of atablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and/or a smartphone, for example. In an additional aspect of the technology, thesystem further comprises a pattern customization module that isoperative to adjust the size of the garment pattern based on parametersreceived from the personal computing device.

In another embodiment, the garment pattern repository and cutter systemincludes a garment pattern file repository stored on a network server. Aweb interface is associated with the garment pattern file repository anda personal computing device is interconnected with the server via theinternet, such that it may facilitate interaction with the garmentpattern file repository via the web interface. A cutter isinterconnected with the personal computing device, wherein the cutter isoperative to cut fabric into portions of a garment corresponding to agarment pattern selected from the garment pattern repository. The systemalso includes a pattern customization module that is operative to adjustthe size of the garment pattern based on parameters received from thepersonal computing device.

These and other aspects of the technology and its various embodimentswill be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description andFigures herein. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of thepresent exemplary system and method shall be determined by the claims asissued and not by whether given subject matter addresses any or allissues noted in the background or includes any features or aspectsrecited in this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the presentsystem and method and are a part of the specification. The illustratedembodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and donot limit the scope thereof

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating the communication channelsand sources of the present system and method, according to one exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary electronic repository andcutter system web interface;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary category sub menu of the webinterface shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary pattern selection andcustomization interface;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a representative pattern printer; and

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary workstationconsistent with the technology of the present application.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present exemplary system and method are describedmore fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which forma part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplaryembodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the exemplary system andmethod. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different formsand should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments setforth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not tobe taken in a limiting sense.

The present specification describes a system that simplifies andstreamlines the processes used by small-shop tailors and homeseamstresses for making custom clothes. The traditional process ofmaking clothes has changed little in the past 25 years. The traditionalprocess is built on the foundation of a paper pattern, fabric storeswith a limited inventory of fabrics, and labor intensive processes ofcutting out and sewing materials.

According to the present exemplary system, the clothes or garment makingprocess is based on a digital repository of patterns that areinteractively adjusted for size. The patterns are downloadable and canbe printed or transferred to an electronic cutter. Accordingly, thissystem simplifies the time and labor intensive processes of findingpatterns, finding suitable material, and cutting out the material tomatch the pattern in the correctly adjusted size.

As shown in FIG. 1, the central website 20 includes a garment patternfile repository in the form of a plurality of pattern libraries 24. Thecentral website 20, sometimes referred to as a Central Pattern andSewing Repository (CPSR), allows individuals to search for a patternfrom all pattern creators. The patterns are accessed and viewed by theuser in a digital format, such as .dxf and .pdf, for example. Patternsare created by a variety of individuals and organizations. The digitalrepresentations of these patterns are uploaded to the central website'spattern libraries 24.

The central website 20 also includes accessory libraries 26 in whichrecommended buttons, zippers, trim, and fabric selections correspondingto the various patterns are stored. Pattern designers suggest theappropriate fabrics for production of a particular garment. The patterndesigners are keenly aware that each fabric type used in a garmentaffects other aspects of making the garment including how the fabric iscut, the lining and tapes that must be used to reinforce the fabrictype, the kind of needle that most cleanly pierces the fabric, the typeof thread that will ensure the fabric will not be pulled, etc. Thesetypes of specifications and recommendations are uploaded to theaccessory library 26 and are available to the customers.

Customers will be able to access a wide variety of fabrics andembellishes such as buttons, zippers, ribbons, sewing supplies, andequipment from vendors 34-40. The digital delivery manager 22 allowscustomers to shop for the various fabrics, embellishments, and supplies.For example, the fabric vendor 34 may supply the fabric recommended inthe accessory library 26 for each pattern. Similarly, the embellishmentvendors 36 can supply the recommended trim or lace. Sewing supplyvendors 38 and 40 can supply the thread and lining materials.

The central website 20 also includes training modules 28, financialmodule 30, and the pattern customization module 32. The patterncustomization module 32 allows a customer to select a pattern and inputvarious parameters or variables by which the pattern customizationmodule resizes the pattern accordingly. All patterns in the presentexemplary CPSR system will be customizable based on a set ofmeasurements and factors.

Pattern designers begin the process of designing a garment by sketchingtheir pattern designs on paper and once there is consensus that thepattern parts will create the targeted design, the pattern pieces arecreated as a parametric model on a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system orother digital drafting or design software (referred to herein generallyas a CAD system). According to one exemplary embodiment, men's andwomen's fashions are typically created in a first instance in one sizereferred to as 40 regular, which in one example, includes a jacket witha 40-inch chest, a 32-33 inch sleeve length, and a pair of trousers witha 33-34 inch waist. Generally, in standard sizing for men's suits, thewaist is 6 in less than the chest size of the jacket; thus, a 48 regularjacket would be accompanied by a pair of trousers with a 42-inch waist.All subsequent patterns are then scaled and/or adjusted from thisstandard 40 regular pattern. Specifications for printing or cuttingpatterns based on the input parameters is fed into the CAD system sothat the pattern pieces are devised on a computer-generated system thatproduces all subsequent sizes of the 40 regular.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the patterns may be scaled bymultiplying the dimensions of the 40 regular pattern by a percentagecorresponding to the difference in size between the 40 regular and thesize parameters input by the customer. The 40 regular pattern may alsobe adjusted by directly changing dimensions of the 40 regular. Forexample, the CAD model may be created with the exact inseam and waistdimensions input from the customer. It should be appreciate that the 40regular pattern may be both scaled and adjusted for various height andgirth inputs. Scaling and adjusting variables in parametric CAD models,is well known in the art.

A customer, or user, may access the central website 20 via the internet18 by using their personal computer 12. It should be appreciated, thatother devices may be used to access the central website 20, such as forexample and without limitation, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a smart phone, or other personal computing device. Thecustomer may have a printer 14 connected to computer 12, allowing themto print the pattern at home in the traditional manner. Alternatively,the user may print the pattern directly on a desired fabric.Furthermore, a customer may also have a cutter 16 connected to theirpersonal computer 12 which would allow them to cut either a paperpattern or directly cut the pattern pieces from fabric according to thepattern downloaded. In another case, the customer could access thecentral website 20 from a retail outlet such as a fabric store. In thiscase, the retail outlet provides the computer connection (i.e. viawireless connection in the store) along with a cutter 16.

When the cutter is configured to cut fabric, rather than paper, theseamstress can, in a single step, cut the fabric for a customizedgarment. This approach shifts to the computer, much of the tediousmodifications that had previously been made by the seamstress. Thecutter accepts instructions from the computer that enable it to cutfabric based on a specific cutting layout. The cutter uses industrystandard protocols and processes for numeric or command based machinecontrol. In one example of a cutter, the cutter is able to cut fabricapproximately 36 inches wide, and in order to keep the fabric inposition the cutter comes with a specialized adhesive mat. The cutter isable to cut various thicknesses and densities of fabric. In some cases,this requires specialized blades for each type of fabric. Informationabout the fabric is transferred to the cutter as part of the instructionset generated by the computer. Suitable fabric cutters may include oneor more blades (linear or rotary) or oscillating points that areselectively transported on one or more carriages as the fabric issystematically translated adjacent to the cutter.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the central website 20 includes aweb interface. An exemplary web interface 42 is shown in FIG. 2. The webinterface 42, in this embodiment, includes a plurality of selectiongroups such as, in this case, patterns by category 46, new sewingpatterns 48, and patterns by designers 50. A user may also searchdirectly through search window 52 for specific pattern model numbers. Asshown in FIG. 3, in this example, the patterns by category 46 has beenselected which then displays a sub-menu of categories 54. For example,the categories in this case include misses, plus size, maternity,accessories, aprons, kids, men, etc. The web interface 42 may beaccessed via a computer, tablet, or smart phone device. In this case, itis contemplated that the web interface 42 is accessed by an iPad® tabletdevice 44.

For each pattern, the interface displays an image of the pattern when itis completed, digital format of the pattern, a printable image of thepattern, and/or financial information about the pattern, such as price.Once a particular pattern is selected as shown in FIG. 4, the customermay customize their pattern by inputting various parameters 56. Theseparameters may include, for example and without limitation, size, waist,inseam, height, weight, chest, and the like. As mentioned above, thepattern customization module 32 uses these parameters to adjust and/orscale the pattern to fit the customer. Once the variables 56 have beeninput, and the pattern customization module 32 has adjusted the patternsize, the user may, in this case, select to print the pattern by pushingthe Print Pattern button 60. The user also has the option to select thequantity of patterns printed in field 58. In the case of a retailoutlet, and with reference to FIG. 5, the retail outlet may include aprinter 64 to print patterns 66. In this exemplary embodiment, theprinter 64 is a 36-inch wide plotter as is known in the art. However,any size printer/cutter may be utilized by the present exemplary systemand method. Suitable plotters/printers are available from manymanufacturers, such as Canon. It should be appreciated that a cutter 16may be connected as well, and a suitable button may be provided on theweb interface such that the customer has an option between cutting thematerial directly or printing the pattern and cutting it out later.

The CPSR system significantly simplifies and standardizes the process ofacquiring patterns, material, and equipment. This is accomplished bycentralizing and standardizing all purchases and delivery of digitalcontent in one website system. There is a single standard digitalcontent delivery format and mechanism based on current industrystandards and approaches. Purchases are processed using a singlestandard purchasing mechanism that is based on current industrystandards and approaches. Users are charged for each customized patterndownload. Alterations to a downloaded pattern are charged a percent of afull pattern. Patterns are protected using industry standard digitalrights management. The pattern download in process are managed usingindustry standard protocols and approaches. All non-downloadedtransactions are coordinated with the appropriate vendor. Vendors willbe responsible for product fulfillment while Financial Processing ishandled centrally with remittances to the appropriate vendors.

In this new system, the seamstress will have the ability to download andprint a pattern that is already customized according to the desiredsize. In addition, they have the option of sending the pattern to anelectronic cutter that is capable of cutting out the customized patternin either paper or fabric. If this option is selected, the computerbecomes central in the process of laying out the fabric for theelectronic cutter. The seamstress provides the computer with informationabout the fabric such as the dimensions, pattern, colors, and grain. Thecomputer takes this information along with the customized pattern andcreates an optimized layout for the electronic cutter. In addition, thecomputer makes any necessary data file conversions needed to support theformats of the electronic cutter.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the CPSR is configured as anapplication on a mobile tablet or phone and allows a user to design andcustomize a pattern according to their own specifications. Oncecustomized the print pattern button 60 or an alternative cut fabricbutton (not shown) may be selected and data representative of themodified pattern and/or a selected material is then transmitted to avendor 34, 36, 38, 40 for processing.

According to one exemplary embodiment, there is a storage scheme on thelocal computer for customized patterns. Users will have the option toprint or cut customized patterns. For patterns that will be cut, therewill be interactive functionality to gather information from the userregarding fabric dimensions, patterns, colors and grain. An applicationtakes information about the fabrics, as well as, the dimensions of thecustomized pattern, and generates optimized cutting instructions for theelectronic cutter. Cutting instructions are adapted to meet the inputrequirements of the electronic cutter. The system also has the abilityto allow customers to make their own patterns. The customer can selectvarious sleeves, cuffs, collars, bodies, and treatments from a componentdata base library, in order to create their own shirt, dress, and pantsin their own size.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a functional block diagram of a typicalworkstation 500 for the technology of the present application isprovided. Workstation 500 may be any of the above described personalcomputing devices, servers, or the like. The workstation 500 is shown asa single, contained unit, such as, for example, a desktop, laptop,tablet, handheld, smart phone, personal digital assistant, or mobileprocessor, but the workstation 500 may comprise portions that are remoteand connectable via a network connection such as via a LAN, a WAN, aWLAN, a WiFi Network, Internet, or the like. Generally, the workstation500 includes a processor 502, a system memory 504, and a system bus 506.The system bus 506, which may follow any conventional protocol such as,for example, PCI or PCI-express, couples the various system componentsand allows data and control signals to be exchanged between thecomponents. The system memory 504 generally comprises both a randomaccess memory (RAM) 508 and a read only memory (ROM) 510. The ROM 510generally stores a basic operating information system such as a basicinput/output system (BIOS) 512. The RAM 508 often contains the basicoperating system (OS) 514, application software 516 and 518, and data520. The system memory 504 (non-transitory computer readable medium)contains the code for executing the functions and processing the data asdescribed herein to allow the present technology of the presentapplication to function as described. The workstation 500 generallyincludes one or more of a hard disk drive 522 (which also includes flashdrives, solid state drives, etc. as well as other volatile andnon-volatile memory configurations), a magnetic disk drive 524, or anoptical disk drive 526. The drives are connected to the bus 506 via ahard disk drive interface 528, a magnetic disk drive interface 530 andan optical disk drive interface 532. Application modules and data may bestored on a disk, such as, for example, a hard disk installed in thehard disk drive (not shown). The workstation 500 has network connection534 to connect to a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, anEthernet, the Internet, or the like, as well as one or more serial portinterfaces 536 to connect to peripherals, such as a mouse, keyboard,microphone, touch screen, light pen, modem, or printer. The workstation500 also may have USB ports or wireless components not shown.Workstation 500 typically has a display or monitor 538 connected to bus506 through an appropriate interface, such as a video adapter 540.Monitor 538 may be used as an input mechanism using a touch screen, alight pen, or the like. On reading this disclosure, those of skill inthe art will recognize that many of the components discussed as separateunits may be combined into one unit and an individual unit may be splitinto several different units. Further, the various functions could becontained in one personal computer or spread over several networkedpersonal computers and/or devices. The identified components may beupgraded and replaced as associated technology improves and advances aremade in computing technology.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Toclearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software,various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the particular application and design constraints imposedon the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedfunctionality in varying ways for each particular application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present invention. The above identifiedcomponents and modules may be superseded by new technologies asadvancements to computer technology continue.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aField Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

Accordingly, the electronic pattern repository and cutter system andmethods have been described with some degree of particularity directedto the exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated, however, thatthe present invention is defined by the following claims construed inlight of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made tothe exemplary embodiments without departing from the inventive conceptscontained herein.

1. A method for storing and accessing a garment pattern, comprising:uploading digital representations of one or more garment patterns to anetwork accessible file repository; accessing said file repository via anetwork connection associated with a personal computing device todownload said digital representation of said one or more garmentpatterns; communicating said digital representation of said one or moregarment patterns from said personal computing device to a cutter; andwherein said cutter accesses said one or more garment patterns to cut aportion of material according to said one or more garment patterns. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein said cutter is configured tocut paper and further comprising cutting said paper to form a garmentpattern.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprisingattaching said garment pattern to fabric and cutting said fabric along aperimeter of said garment pattern.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein said cutter is configured to cut fabric and further comprisingcutting said fabric to form portions of a garment corresponding with theone or more garment patterns.
 5. The method according to claim 4,further comprising assembly said garment by joining said portionstogether.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingentering parameters describing the size of a garment.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein said parameters are selected from thegroup consisting of size, waist, inseam, height, weight, and chest. 8.The method according to claim 6, further comprising scaling said one ormore garment patterns based on said parameters.
 9. The method accordingto claim 6, further comprising adjusting said one or more garmentpatterns based on said parameters.
 10. A garment pattern repository andcutter system, comprising: a garment pattern file repository stored on anetwork server; a web interface associated with said garment patternfile repository; a personal computing device interconnected with saidserver to facilitate interaction with said garment pattern filerepository via said web interface; and a cutter interconnected with thepersonal computing device, wherein said cutter is operative to cut aportion of material according to a garment pattern selected from saidgarment pattern repository.
 11. The system according to claim 10,wherein said personal computing device is selected from the groupconsisting of a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer,and a smart phone.
 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein saidweb interface is stored on said network server.
 13. The system accordingto claim 10, wherein said personal computing device is interconnectedwith said server via the internet.
 14. The system according to claim 10,wherein said cutter is configured to cut paper into said garmentpattern.
 15. The system according to claim 10, wherein said cutter isconfigured to cut fabric into portions of a garment corresponding tosaid garment pattern.
 16. The system according to claim 10, furthercomprising a pattern customization module operative to adjust the sizeof said garment pattern based on parameters received from said personalcomputing device.
 17. A garment pattern repository and cutter system,comprising: a garment pattern file repository stored on a networkserver; a web interface associated with said garment pattern filerepository; a personal computing device interconnected with said servervia the internet, said personal computing device operative to facilitateinteraction with said garment pattern file repository via said webinterface; a cutter interconnected with the personal computing device,wherein said cutter is operative to cut fabric into portions of agarment corresponding to a garment pattern selected from said garmentpattern repository; and a pattern customization module operative toadjust the size of said garment pattern based on parameters receivedfrom said personal computing device.
 18. The system according to claim17, wherein said parameters are selected from the group consisting ofsize, waist, inseam, height, weight, and chest.
 19. The system accordingto claim 17, wherein said personal computing device is selected from thegroup consisting of a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, and a smart phone.
 20. The system according to claim 17,wherein said pattern customization module is operative to scale the sizeof said garment pattern based on said parameters.